Mars Possible Supervolcanoes

Transcription

1 Mars Possible Supervolcanoes By: 5 th Grade GATE Walter Bracken STEAM Academy Supervised by Ms. Sekovski June 2013

2 Introduction The science question that was researched is, Are volcanic features, such as collapsed lava tubes, fissures, and lava flows, present in the calderas of Martian volcanoes? This question is important because the number of fissures, collapsed lava tubes, and the area of the caldera covered by lava flows could possibly signify the volcano as a supervolcano in the past and/or present. This is also significant because it would affect our attempts to colonize Mars due to the possible eruptions of supervolcanoes and the possible subsequent climate change. Background Fissures are long, narrow cracks in the planet s surface. When magma flows underneath the surface, it builds up pressure that can cause the landscape to crack and result in a fissure (Figure 1, 4). A lava flow is created by a non- eruptive explosion from a volcano. Once the lava hardens, it is considered a fully formed lava flow (figure 2, 5). A collapsed lava tube is a tube that used to have lava flowing freely through it underground. Once the lava flows out completely, the tube collapses, hence the name collapsed lava tube (figure 3, 6). A supervolcano is formed when magma builds up at the bottom of the lower crust, which makes a magma chamber and subsequently, a bulge. Soon after, cracks start to form. When the crust can t resist the pressure, it explodes with a magnitude above 8. When the eruption is over, it forms a caldera (Figure 7). After the eruption, lava starts to seep through the cracks. Yellowstone is considered a possible supervolcano, which is show by Figure 8. That is the basis of the hypothesis. Methods The spacecraft used to gather the data was the THEMIS spacecraft. THEMIS stands for Thermal Emission Imaging System. The volcanic features that were focused on were collapsed lava tubes, fissures and lava flows in various Martian calderas. The only website used to gather our information was global/- data.mars.asu.edu/bin/themis.pl. This website s images were used to locate and clarify the quantity of

3 fissures, collapsed lava tubes, and the area of lava flows in the calderas of various Martian volcanoes to the best of the research team s ability. The quantity of fissures, collapsed lava tubes, and area of lava flows in the calderas of Martian volcanoes were researched from images collected from the aforementioned website. The area of the lava flows was estimated to the best of the research team s abilities. The following list contains all the volcanoes that were analyzed: Data Alba Patera/Mons Albor Tholus Apollinaris Mons Arsia Mons Biblis Patera Ceraunius Tholus Elysium Mons Hecates Tholus Olympus Mons Pityusa Patera Pavonis Mons Peneus Patera Syrtis Major Planum Ulysses Patera/Tholu Uranius Mons Uranius Patera/Tholu 52 images were analyzed. One good example of a collapsed lava tube in Ceraunius Tholus is image ID # V (Figure 9). An excellent example of a fissure in Alba Patera is image ID# V (Figure 10). Finally, a great example of a lava flow on Arsia Mons is image ID# V (Figure 11). The data collected can be seen in Figure 12 shown in a table. The first column shows all the volcanoes whose calderas were studied. The second column shows the quantity of fissures in each caldera. The third column shows the approximate area of lava flows in each caldera. Lastly, the final column shows the quantity of collapsed lava tubes in each caldera. The MOLA Map shows the location of all the volcanoes that were studied (Figure 13). That map was obtained through Ms. Swann.

4 A bar graph was created to show the number of fissures and collapsed lava tubes on each of the Martian calderas (Figures 14, 15). The bar graph in figure 16 shows the approximate area of lava flows in each Martian caldera. Discussion Our science question is, Are volcanic features, such as collapsed lava tubes, fissures, and lava flows located in the caldera of Martian volcanoes? Calderas were analyzed in terms of quantity of collapsed lava tubes and fissures. They were also analyzed from approximate area of lava flows. From the data collected (shown in the data table, Figure 12) the answer to the science question is yes. The bar graphs (figures 14, 15 16) depict the amount of fissures, collapsed lava tubes, and approximate area of lava flows, respectively, in each Martian caldera. The three calderas with the highest number of fissures are Olympus Mons, Pavonis Mons and Arsia Mons (Figure 14). The three calderas with the most collapsed lava tubes are Arsia Mons, Alba Patera, and Uranius Mons (Figure 15). The four calderas that have the largest approximate area of lava flows are Uranius Patera, Pityusa Patera, Olympus Mons and Hecates Tholus (Figure 16). These calderas are ordered highest to lowest number, or, in the case of lava flows, approximate area, of features. Due to possible inaccuracies with the lava flow measurements, that data was disregarded. Possible supervolcanoes were determined by adding the numbers of collapsed lava tubes and fissures in the calderas together, with the possible supervolcano being the ones with the highest totals (Figure 17). Using this method, the possible supervolcanoes, which are the ones with the highest total of volcanic features, are Alba Patera, Arsia Mons, Olympus Mons, and Pavonis Mons. There are many potential errors with the data collected. A volcanic feature could have been missed, or a part of the caldera could have been unaccounted for. Static discharge in the photos could have affected the quality of the photo and caused misinterpretations. If the research team had been able to access JMARS, the

5 measurements taken would have been more accurate. Possible misinterpretations could have taken place. For example, fissures could have been misinterpreted as collapsed lava tubesw. Another example is that the research team could have misinterpreted uplift in the Mars surface as a collapsed lava tube. Conclusion Our question, Are volcano features such as lava flows, collapsed lava tubes and fissures found in the calderas of Martian volcanoes?, was answered positively, according to the research. Our hypothesis is, If there is a presence of collapsed lava tubes, lava flows, and/or fissures in the caldera of a Martian volcano, this may indicate the volcano as a supervolcano in the past and/or present. Alba Patera, Arsia Mons, Olympus Mons and Pavonis Mons are possible supervolcanoes that were identified based on the research. The research done could be expanded to include focusing on volcanoes on Mars that are not cone shaped volcanoes, but shield volcanoes, which are more flat. Another research topic could be looking at the areas surrounding the calderas for signs of massive explosions (for example, traces of ash). We would like to acknowledge Ms. Swann, Mr. Manfredi, the scientists at NASA, Mr. Carlin and Ms. Sekovski for helping the research team with the research.

6 Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure a Figure 4

7 graphics Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7

8 PIA02031_modest.jpg Figure 8 Figure 9 Figure 10 Figure 11

9 Volcano Fissures Lava Flows Collapsed Lava Tubes Alba Patera 1 <1/2 10 Albor Tholus 1 <1/4 2 Figure 12

10 Apollinaris Mons 2 ~3/5 6 Arsia Mons 8 <1/2 11 Ascraeus Mons Biblis Tholus Ceraunius Tholus Elysium Mons 0 <1/4 7 Hecates Tholus 1 >3/4 1 Olympus Mons 11 >3/4 0 Pityusa Patera 0 <3/4 0 Pavonis Mons 7 "187/420" 5 Peneus Patera 0 <1/2 2 Syrtis Major Planum Ulysses Patera/Tholus 0 ~1/3 2 Uranius Mons 0 <1/4 8 Uranius Patera 3 ~4/5 0

11 90 MOLA Map Plots La$tude (N) Figure Longitude 180 (E) Figure 14

12 Number of fissures Martian Volcanoes

13 Figure Number Of Collapsed lava tubes Martian Volcanoes Figure 16

14 Area of lava flows (decimal multiply for %) Martian Volcanoes Figure 17

15 References

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17 Carolyn Parcheta Lava Flows in the Tharsis Region of Mars: Estimates of Flow Speed and Volume Fluxes. Article. Retrieved February 20, 2013 from SP06/parcheta_carolyn_SP.pdf Space.com Staff. Mars Caves And Lava Tubes. Photo and Paragraph. Retrieved February 25, 2013 from mar s- caves- lava- tubes- photos.html Lava Tubes on Pavonis Mars. Photo and Paragraph. Retrieved February 26, 2013 from /Space_Science/Mars_Express/Lava_tubes_on_Pavonis_Mons The Stages in the Creation of a Supervolcano Caldera. Photo. Retreived March 4, 2013 from Questions About Supervolcanoes. Article. Retrieved March 4, Photo. Retrieved May 8, Ken G. Grimes. Lava Flows and their Caves. Article. Retrieved May 13, 2013 from http;// Farlex, Inc. The Free Dictionary. Article. Retrieved May 14, 2013 from http;// Merriam- Webster, Incorporated. Merrian- Webster Article. Retrieved May 14, 2013 from webster.com/dictionary/lava%20flow Dianne Mollica. Lava Tubes on Earth and More. Retrieved May 14, 2013 from Neal Litherland. How do Fissures Form. Article. Retrieved May 14, 2013 from does_ _do- fissures- form_.html Dianne Mollica. Lava Tubes on Earth and Mars. Article. Retrieved May 14, 2013 from Hardened Lava. Article. Retrieved May 15, 2013 from geology.campus.ad.csulb.edu Yellowstone Volcano. JPG. Retrieved May 15, 2013 from